Fluid Line Connection Sealing for Verifiable Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid line connection arrangements in vehicles face challenges in ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and permanently verifiable fluid-tight connection, particularly in complex systems like charge air ducts, where assembly errors and leaks can occur due to vibration and high pressure, necessitating a secure and monitorable sealing solution.

Innovation Solution

A connection arrangement with a leakage opening in the first component, sealed by a blocking sealant held in place by a screw bolt, allowing for monitoring during assembly and operation, ensuring a secure and inexpensive fluid-tight connection, utilizing a sealing pin and arm for easy insertion and rotation, and a guide sleeve for preassembly and positioning, with a blocking opening for correct alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing agent is used to close the leakage opening and block the coupling position, then fluid-tight connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing agent is inserted into the leakage opening before the coupling operation, so that the sealing function is prepared in advance. This preliminary action allows the sealing agent to be in position when coupling occurs, simplifying the overall assembly process while ensuring fluid-tight connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing agent acts as an intermediary substance between the two components, filling the leakage opening and creating a fluid-tight barrier. This intermediary element enables the coupling of components without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or additional fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sealing agent is used to ensure fluid-tight connection, then leakage is prevented, but the assembly cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoidassembly cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing agent is pre-inserted into the leakage opening during the manufacturing or assembly preparation phase, allowing for quality control and verification before final coupling. This preliminary placement reduces the need for expensive post-assembly sealing operations or complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing agent functions as a consumable element that is inserted once and performs its sealing function throughout the service life. By using a simple, inexpensive sealing material rather than complex reusable sealing mechanisms, the overall assembly cost is reduced while maintaining reliable fluid-tight connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the sealing agent is held in position by a screw bolt, then the sealing position is secured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing position stabilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screw bolt serves dual functions: it secures the coupling between components and simultaneously holds the sealing agent in position within the leakage opening. By combining these two functions into a single element, the structural complexity is minimized while ensuring both coupling integrity and sealing position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw bolt is designed as a multi-functional element that performs both mechanical fastening and sealing agent retention. This universal component eliminates the need for separate fastening and sealing retention mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable sealing position throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3719373B1Connection arrangement, preferably for a fluid line of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 FRISCHE IND PIPES
  • EP3719373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3719373B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A connection arrangement 10, preferably for a fluid line of a vehicle, is provided with a first component 14 and a second component 28 to which it can be fluid-tightly coupled in a coupling position, wherein the first component 14 has a leakage opening 24 which is to be closed by means of a sealing agent 38 which simultaneously blocks the coupling position. The sealing agent 38 is held in its sealing position, which blocks the coupling position, by means of a screw bolt 52.